10 best low-sugar fruits that won’t mess with your blood sugar

Even when it comes to fruit, you can inadvertently have too much of a good thing.

That said, you shouldn't just cut out fruit altogether when trying to limit sugar intake. Fruits contain important nutrients like vitamin C, fibre, and antioxidants – and increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables has been shown to reduce your cancer and mortality risk.

Instead, reach for fruits that are lower in sugar per serving. While Hortman says there aren’t any official guidelines as to what constitutes a 'low-sugar' fruit, she says that "fruits containing higher fibre and water content dilute the amount of sugar or carbohydrate in a fruit".

Without further (avoca)ado, these low-sugar fruits will allow you to get your sugar fix minus the dreaded energy crash.

1. Avocado

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Avocado is a solid source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and fibre. Avocados are so tasty and low in sugar that they make the perfect dessert substitute, says Hortman. Just swap your typical sweetener for some pureed avocado in your favourite milkshake, mousse and cake recipes.

2. Watermelon

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Watermelon might be your next favourite workout recovery snack. In a small study from the Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry, researchers found that the amino acids in the fruit juice helped athletes recover faster (and feel less sore) after working out. Watermelon is also high in the antioxidant lycopene.

3. Apples

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Apples are the perfect mid-day snack because of their high soluble fibre content, which "absorbs water to become thick like the viscous texture of cooked oatmeal", says Hortman. They've also been shown to lower your 'bad' LDL cholesterol levels.

5. Grapefruit

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This citrus fruit ranks low on the sugar scale, with a bitter tartness to match. You also get half of your daily recommended value of vitamin C by eating just half of a fruit. But talk to your GP if you're taking medications – the FDA warns that grapefruit (and grapefruit juice) can have bad interactions with several types of drugs, including statins for cholesterol and even some types of antihistamines.

6. Lime

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Limes are another great low-sugar fruit: only one gram of sugar in the entire fruit. You'll also get nearly a third of your daily vitamin C dose per fruit. So don't be afraid to use it to flavour salad dressings and fish tacos, or garnish your water when you're feeling fancy.

7. Olives

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The Mediterranean diet has long been touted as the pathway to longevity, and thankfully, olives (which yes, are a fruit) are a staple. A small study from the American Journal of Hypertension found that polyphenol-rich olive oil is linked to decreased blood pressure in women who have high blood pressure or hypertension. While low in sugar, olives are often sold in tins and jars high in sodium, so keep an eye on portion sizes.

8. Cucumbers

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As a green-juice ingredient, we typically think of cucumbers as spa-friendly veggies. Surprise: they’re actually a fruit. Hortman says you can safely eat up to three and a half cups of cucumbers as a serving (since they're basically all water), making them great for mindless munching.

9. Tomatoes

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Tomatoes are a rich source of the carotenoid lycopene, which can help protect the skin against ultraviolet rays (but nope, it can't replace SPF), strengthen bones, and even prevent asthma. And the low-sugar fruit is low in carbohydrates, too.

10. Squash

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While squash has a reputation for being starchy, it offers way more benefits than other starchy carbs like bread and potatoes. Technically a fruit, according to Hortman, squash's fibre can help stabilise blood sugar levels while slowing down digestion –keeping the intestinal tract healthy and keeping you full for longer.

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